Acid Water: Diagnosis and Treatment

The mere mention of the word acid can evoke some pretty scary associations: bubbling green goop that melts anything on contact is our first thought when we hear the word. And we’ve all heard news stories about acid rain and the damage it can do to both buildings and crops. But you may also have heard of the problem of acidic water coming out of some peoples’ taps—an idea that can sound pretty scary. What exactly is acid water, and should you even be concerned about it?

To most people, the answer is “no”. Because of the regulations on municipal water supplies, people who get their water from public sources usually don’t have to worry about this. But if you own a large amount of property and derive your water from a private well or other private water supply, read on; you may have to deal with this issue. This post will help you diagnose your own tap for acid water and take you through the steps you need to treat it.

Refresher: What is acid water?

If you remember one thing from high school chemistry, it’s probably that acids are anything with a 7 or less on the pH scale. Don’t be too alarmed if you find out you have acid water in your system, however; it’s usually just caused by natural geological processes as rain makes its way through soil. But while not all acids are as violently corrosive as others, even slightly acidic water can cause problems.

Determining if Your Tap is acidic

The problem with acidic tap water in particular is that it leeches metal from pipes. It will corrode both lead and copper, slowly eating away at your pipes until you develop leaks. You can see this leeched material in the form of blue or green stains in tubs or sinks. You might also smell a harsh, chlorine-like smell in the water, and it may taste something like soda.

If you find any of this evidence, it may be a good idea to test the pH levels of your water. If it registers less than 7, then you can be sure you have acid water! Don’t worry, though, this problem can be easy to fix.

Treating Acid Water

Neutralizing filters are the way to go to treat acidic water and, thankfully, they are readily available. They work by adding a material to the water that, through a chemical reaction, neutralizes its pH level. These filters attach to the water’s point of entry, dissolving neutralizing chemicals into the water before it enters your pipes.